Spinning frames

ABSTRACT

A spinning frame having spindles comprising a fixed part for the admission of slivers, and a rotary spinning bowl part, is so arranged that the bowl can be belt driven at relatively high speeds, and the two parts can be pivoted apart for inspection or cleaning, without handling of driving belts, and so that the drive is automatically disengaged.

United States Patent Le Chatelier 1 June 13, 1972 [54] SPINNING FRAMES[56] References Cited [72] Inventor: Jacques Le Chateller, Riedisheim,France UNITED STATES PATENTS [731 sigma 3,375,649 4/1968 Bures et al..s7/ss.91 Mm'mlm Mulhwse' 3,511,045 5/1970 Bures et al. France [22]Filed: July 28, 1970 Primary Examiner-John Petrakes pp No: 58,93!Anorney-Holman & Stern [57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Appncamn Priority DataA spinning frame having spindles comprising a fixed part for Aug. 4,I969 France ..6926659 the admission of slivers, and a rotary spinningbowl part, is so arranged that the bowl can be belt driven at relativelyhigh [52] US. Cl. ..57/58.89, 57/ 105 d and the two parts can be pivotedapart for inspection J30"! Dolh 1/20 or cleaning, without handling ofdriving belts, and so that the [58] Field of Search "575869-5895. d i iautomatically disengaged.

8 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures Itin- PATENTEDJUM 13 m2 3. 668 854 SHEET 2 or2 Id vex/71 2 a. W

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SPINNING FRAMES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates tospinning frames having bowl spindles mounted side-by-side and running athigh speeds and suitable for making yarns with a prescribed twist fromrovings or slivers of textile fibers.

Such spindles are most frequently driven by a belt which is either afriction or tangent belt making contact with a pulley integral with eachspindle, or an endless driving belt engaging a pulley on each spindleand a pulley carried by a common drive shaft.

If a friction belt is used, it cannot in practice be driven at a higherlinear speed than about 30 m/sec. In the present state of the art,however, there is a tendency to run the spindles at ever-increasingspeeds of the order of 50,000 rpm, and great difficulties areencountered in attaining such speeds by direct friction between afriction belt and a pulley, since the spindle pulleys are ofinsufiicient diameter. Moreover, it is necessary for cleaning orinspection to detach the spindles, and the presence of such a frictionbelt not only hinders access to the spindles but also impedes theexecution of the necessary operations.

If separate, endless driving belts are used for each spindle,difficulties in obtaining high speeds are eliminated, since the pulleyscan have the appropriate diameters, but dismantling for cleaning andinspection becomes still more difficult.

Moreover, in the case of friction belts and of individual endless belts,the known arrangements involve a first movement for ensuringdisconnection of the spindle, and a second movement to enable visual ormanual access to the interior of the spindle for the purpose ofinspection and cleaning.

An object of the present invention is to provide a spindle mounting anddrive therefor so that the aforesaid disadvantages of existing devicesare eliminated or reduced, and disconnection and access are possible ina single movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there isprovided a spinning frame of the kind having spindles comprising a fixedpart and a rotary part, in which the rotary part of the spindle ismounted freely rotatable on one end of an arm which is pivotable at itsother end on a rod at right angles to the axis of the fixed part of thespindle, in such manner as selectively to occupy either a workingposition wherein it is maintained by releasable locking means and therotary part of the spindle coacts with the fixed part, or an inspectionposition wherein the rotary part of the spindle is disengaged from thefixed part, with a rotary drive for the spindle being provided by astep-up belt drive through the intermediary of a small pulley secured tothe rotary part and a large pulley freely rotatable on a shaft carriedon the arm in the vicinity of said rod, the large pulley being connectedto a third pulley of smaller size associated with a friction-drivingbelt parallel to said rod, so that, when the arm is in its inspectionposition, the third pulley is disengaged from the friction belt, andwhen it is in the working position, the third pulley engages thefriction belt.

As a result of this arrangement, the step-up belt drive can be used toimpart very high speeds of rotation to the spindles .without therebynecessarily driving the belt at higher linear speeds than have hithertobeen used. In addition, the pivotal movement of the arm carrying therotary parts of the spindle can be effected without any trouble andwithout it being necessary even to touch the belts used; the frictionbelt being, moreover, disconnected by this same pivotal movement,automatically, since the pulley coacting therewith is withdrawn fromcontact therewith, when in the inspection position. In that position,the inside of the bowl spindle is readily accessible so that theinspection and cleaning operations can be conveniently and quicklycompleted.

In addition, this arrangement allows the provision of very simplebraking means which consists merely of an ordinary brake shoe carried onthe spindle frame with which the pulley driven by the friction beltfrictionally engages when the carrier arm is moved into the inspectionposition.

Preferably, the end of the arm carried on the rod is in the form of aspring clip with two arms passing around the rod in such manner as to bedetachable therefrom. The assembly consisting of the arm and the wholerotary part of the spindle can thus be handled as a unit together withthe step-up belt drive, and this is most convenient for maintenance andrepairs.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical section on theline II of FIG. 2 of part of a spinning frame in accordance with thepresent invention, and shown in the working position;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section on the line IIII of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, and in the inspectionposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The section of a spinning frameshown in the drawings comprises a longitudinally extending support 1along which regularly-spaced spinning spindles are fitted, each as awhole designated by 2.

Each spindle 2 comprises a fixed part 3 constituting stationary spinningmeans attached to the support 1 by screws 4, and a rotary part 5constituting rotary spinning means arranged immediately underneath thefixed part 3 and carried on an arm 6, of which one end is pivotable on ahorizontal rod 7 with the rod being at right angles to the axis of thefixed part 3.

The rotary part or bowl 5 of the spindle is attached to a pulley 11,which is freely rotatable on two ball bearings 12, 13 on a central tube14 secured to a boss 15 held in place at one end of the arm 6 by a nut16. On the same end of the arm 6, there is fixed by means of the boss 15and a screw 21, a block 22, on which attached by screw 23 is an annularmember 24 which has an annular recess locating a packing ring 26 whichbears on a corresponding conical surface 27 of the fixed part 3 of thespindle.

The other end of the arm 6 is in the form of a spring clip consisting ofan upper jaw 31 formed by bending the end of the arm 6 into the form ofa part of a cylindrical surface fitting the cylindrical surface of therod 7 over nearly a semicircle and a lower jaw 32 consisting of a springblade attached on the arm 6 by a bolt 33 and which is similarly bent inthe fonn of a part of a cylindrical surface making contact with thecylindrical surface of the rod 7, also over nearly a semicircle. Thejaws 31 and 32 end in two beaks 37 and 38, enclosing therebetween adihedral angle which facilitates the fitting of the clip over the rod 7.

The upper jaw 31 is in the form of a fork with prongs 31A and 3113 (FIG.2) which embrace an axially-locating ring 41 fitted to the rod 7 andheld thereon by a set screw 42. The lower jaw 32 is similarly forked,with two corresponding arms.

The arm 6 is held in the working position shown in FIG. 1, by means of acatch consisting of a leaf spring 45 of which the upper end is attachedto the fixed part 3 by a screw 46 while its lower end has a hole 47fitting over a stud 48 attached to the block 22. By moving the lower endof the spring 45 in the direction of the arrow f1, the spring can bedisengaged from the stud 48, so that the arm 6 can drop into theinspection position shown in FIG. 3, by pivoting on the rod 7 in thedirection of the arrow f2, with the length of the swing being limited bya stop 51 (FIG. 3) fitted to the support 1.

The dimensions and the strength of the spring clip 31 by which the arm 6is held on the rod 7 are so selected that the arm can be released fromthe rod by pulling in the direction of the arrow f3, after havingreleased the catch 45. The arm 6 can easily be restored to its originalposition by placing the beaks 37, 38 against the rod 7, so that theyspread apart when the arm 6 is pushed in the opposite direction to thearrow f3.

The bowl of the spindle is rotated by a friction belt 54 runningparallel to the rod 7, a transmission gear comprising the pulley 11, anendless belt 55 passing around the pulley 11, a second pulley 56 aroundwhich the belt 55 also passes, and a third pulley 57 integral with thepulley 56 and on which the friction belt 54 bears when the arm 6 is inthe working position as shown in FIG. 1 and 2. The pulley 56 is ofgreater diameter than the pulley 57. The pulleys 56 and 57 are carriedon a vertical shaft 58 freely rotatable in two ball bearings 61, 62, ina cup 59 having a threaded end bolt formed by the bolt 33 referred toearlier.

When the arm 6 is in the inclined, inspection position, as shown in FIG.3, the pulley 57 bears with friction against a brake shoe 71 attached tothe lower end of a tongue 72, preferably somewhat elastic, of which thetop end is attached to the support 1 by a bolt 73.

The upper, fixed part 3 of the spindle has a nozzle 75 coaxial with therotary bowl 5 and an aperture 74 for the entry of the rovings of textilefiber to be spun. The nozzle 75 can be inserted into the fixed element 3from below same (see in particular FIG. 3), when the arm is swung down.It has an axially locating ring 76 bearing against an annular shoulder77 on the fixed part 3 and an elastic system for angular positioningconsisting of two, diametrally-opposed plungers in the form of balls 81urged by springs 82 inside radial, blind holes 83 in the nozzle 75, withthe balls 81 entering partially into corresponding radial holes 85 inthe upper portion of the fixed part 3.

The operation of the assembly will now be described.

In the working position shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the rotary bowl 5 is inthe upper position ready to coact with the fixed part 3, while thepulley 57 bears against the friction belt 54 in such manner that thelatter, through the intermediary of the step-up belt drive 55, rotatesthe bowl 5.

If it is desired to inspect or clean the bowl 5, it will suffice torelease the locking spring 45 and allow the arm 6 to drop against thestop 51 (FIG. 3). This simultaneously disengages the drive, since thepulley 57 moves away from the friction belt 54, brakes the rotary bowl 5since the pulley 57 makes contact with the brake shoe 71, and presentsthe bowl 5 in a convenient position, since it is now completelyaccessible.

The inspecting or cleaning operation having been completed, it sufficesin order to return the assembly to the working position, to swing thearm 6 upwards and allow the spring 45 to engage with the stud 48. Thisautomatically releases the brake, since the pulley 57 is moved away fromthe brake shoe 71 and the drive is engaged by the pulley 57 makingcontact with the friction belt 54.

When the spindle is thus exposed, the top nozzle 75 can be convenientlyremoved and refitted.

As has already been explained, the arm 6 and the elements it carries canbe completely and instantaneously removed, viz: the rotary part 3 of thespindle, and the step-up belt transmission gear 55.

I claim:

. 1. A spinning machine having a frame and spindles carried by theframe, each spindle comprising a fixed part and a rotary part a rodcarried by the frame and located at right angles to the axis of thefixed part of the spindle, an arm having opposite ends, said rotary partbeing freely rotatable on one end of the arm, the other end of the armbeing pivotable on the rod in such manner as selectively to occupyeither a working position in which the rotary part of the spindle coactswith the fixed part, or an inspection position in which the rotary partof the spindle is disengaged from the fixed part, releasable lockingmeans cooperable with the fixed part and the movable part to maintainsaid parts in the working position, a rotary drive for the spindle saiddrive including a small pulley secured to the rotary part, a shaftcarried by the arm adjacent the rod and extending perpendicularly to thearm, a large pulley freely rotatable on said shaft, a third pulley oflesser diameter integral with the large pulley, a friction-driving beltparallel to said rod trained about said third pulley; so that, when saidarm is in its inspection position, the third pulley is disengaged fromthe friction belt, and, when the arm is in the working position, thethird pulley engages the friction belt and an endless belt passingaround the small pulley and the large pulley.

2. The frame in accordance with claim 1, including a brake shoe withwhich the third pulley is in contact when said arm is in the inspectionposition.

3. The frame in accordance with claim 1, in which said other end of saidarm is in the form of a two-armed spring clip gripping said rod in sucha manner as to form a releasable connection between the arm and the rod.

4. The frame in accordance with claim 1, in which the spindle is on avertical axis, with said rod and the friction belt being horizontal andthe rotary part of the spindle being arranged below the fixed partthereof.

5. The frame in accordance with claim 1, in which the spindle has anozzle for the admission of the fibers, a socket in the fixed part inwhich said nozzle is fitted, and quick release and attaching means forthe nozzle.

6. The frame in accordance with claim 5, in which the admission nozzleis removable in the direction of the rotary part when the arm is in theinspection position, and spring catches holding the nozzle in place insaid socket constituting the quick release and attaching means.

7. In a spinning machine having frame means, and at least one spinningunit comprising stationary spinning means carried by the frame means androtary spinning means including a first pulley and a spinning chambermounted on the first pulley for rotation therewith, a rod supported bysaid frame means, an arm having opposite ends, one end of said arm beingconnected to said rod for swinging movement relative to the stationaryspinning means, said first pulley being mounted on said arm for swingingmovement therewith between an operative position in which said chambercooperates with said stationary spinning means to spin a yarn and aninspection position in which said chamber is spaced from said stationaryspinning means, a second pulley mounted on said arm so as to lie betweenthe first pulley and said rod, said second pulley having two cylindricallength portions of different diameter, a friction drive belt engaged bythe smaller diameter portion of said second pulley only when saidchamber is in its operative position, and a drive transmission belttrained over said first pulley and the larger diameter portion of saidsecond pulley.

8. The spinning machine according to claim 7, further including fixedbrake means positioned on said frame means to be engaged by said smallerdiameter portion of the second pulley when the spinning chamber is inthe inspection position.

1. A spinning machine having a frame and spindles carried by the frame,each spindle comprising a fixed part and a rotary part a rod carried bythe frame and located at right angles to the axis of the fixed part ofthe spindle, an arm having opposite ends, said rotary part being freelyrotatable on one end of the arm, the other end of the arm beingpivotable on the rod in such manner as selectively to occupy either aworking position in which the rotary part of the spindle coacts with thefixed part, or an inspection position in which the rotary part of thespindle is disengaged from the fixed part, releasable locking meanscooperable with the fixed part and the movable part to maintain saidparts in the working position, a rotary drive for the spindle said driveincluding a small pulley secured to the rotary part, a shaft carried bythe arm adjacent the rod and extending perpendicularly to the arm, alarge pulley freely rotatable on said shaft, a third pulley of lesserdiameter integral with the large pulley, a friction-driving beltparallel to said rod trained about said third pulley; so that, when saidarm is in its inspection position, the third pulley is disengaged fromthe friction belt, and, when the arm is in the working position, thethird pulley engages the friction belt and an endless belt passingaround the small pulley and the large pulley.
 2. The frame in accordancewith claim 1, including a brake shoe with which the third pulley is incontact when said arm is in the inspection position.
 3. The frame inaccordance with claim 1, in which said other end of said arm is in theform of a two-armed spring clip gripping said rod in such a manner as toform a releasable connection between the arm and the rod.
 4. The framein accordance with claim 1, in which the spindle is on a vertical axis,with said rod and the friction belt being horizontal and the rotary partof the spindle being arranged below the fixed part thereof.
 5. The framein accordance with claim 1, in which the spindle has a nozzle for theadmission of the fibers, a socket in the fixed part in which said nozzleis fitted, and quick release and attaching means for the nozzle.
 6. Theframe in accordance with claim 5, in which the admission nozzle isremovable in the direction of the rotary part when the arm is in theinspection position, and spring catches holding the nozzle in place insaid socket constituting the quick release and attaching means.
 7. In aspinning machine having frame means, and at least one spinning unitcomprising stationary spinning means carried by the frame means androtary spinning means including a first pulley and a spinning chambermounted on the first pulley for rotation therewith, a rod supported bysaid frame means, an arm having opposite ends, one end of said arm beingconnected to said rod for swinging movement relative to the stationaryspinning means, said first pulley being mounted on said arm for swingingmovement therewith between an operative position in which said chambercooperates with said stationary spinning means to spin a yarn and aninspection position in which said chamber is spaced from said stationaryspinning means, a second pulley mounted on said arm so as to lie betweenthe first pulley and said rod, said second pulley having two cylindricallength portions of different diameter, a friction drive belt engaged bythe smaller diameter portion of said second pulley only when saidchamber is in its operative position, and a drive transmission belttrained over said first pulley and the larger diameter portion of saidsecond pulley.
 8. The spinning machine according to claim 7, furtherincluding fixed brake means positioned on said frame means to be engagedby said smaller diameter portion of the second pulley when the spinningchamber is in the inspection position.